A skeleton was found by a hiker early Tuesday morning near the Hogback.

The bones were found about 5:30 a.m. in open space west of C-470 near West Bowles Avenue. The remains were not near a trail and were in an area that isn't subject to routine traffic, said Jacki Kelly, spokeswoman for the Jeffco Sheriff's Office.

Because of the remote location, authorities had to wait until daybreak to travel to the site. No gender, identity or cause of death had been determined.

“There's nothing to tell us the kind of answers we were hoping to get today,” Kelly said.

The remains were exposed to the elements for a long time. Kelly said the Sheriff's Office would have to rely heavily on forensic scientists to make an identification.

Kelly also said it's unclear if the remains were on Jeffco Open Space or Ken Caryl Open Space.

Contact Ramsey Scott at ramsey@evergreenco.com or 303-933-2233, ext. 22 and follow him on Twitter @RamseyColumbine.